There is one more chance for players on the Miami Dolphins roster to earn their spot on the final roster in tonight’s preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Final roster cuts are due Tuesday morning, so everything about how these players are used tonight will provide insight to where the coaching staff stands.
But the one battle all Phins fans have their eyes on is the battle for quarterback two.
After injury concerns derailed Miami’s season last year, the team made an effort to go out and get a capable backup. That backup was former second overall selection, Zach Wilson.
Wilson came in on a one-year, six million dollar fully guaranteed contract. It seemed like a good move at the time, investing in what proved to be the team’s biggest weakness two years in a row.
However that was until the team drafted rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Typically that late in the draft teams are just throwing stuff at the wall and hoping it will stick. It seems as though Ewers stuck.
Viewed as a developmental prospect, Ewers has thrown for more than 200 yards and two touchdowns in what equates to a little under four quarters of action.
Tonight will be the final chance for Ewers, or Wilson, to prove they deserve the spot.
‘Ewers Bounced Back, Wilson Regressed’
The Dolphins conducted joint practices for the second straight week. Last week it was the Detroit Lions who gave the Phins all they could handle, this week the Jags were in South Beach for some high quality competition.
Dolphins writer Brian Miller said one quarterback rose to the occasion, while the other did not.
“In practice against the Lions and in the Dolphins game against them in week two of the exhibition season, Ewers bounced back while Zach Wilson either remained stagnant or regressed,” Miller wrote.
He said this week against the Jaguars was no different.
“During this past week, Ewers was again practicing well while Wilson was struggling with the offense,” Miller continued. “Wilson has a big arm, but his accuracy and ability to anticipate routes have been an issue. Ewers has the arm strength and is picking up the anticipation part of the game.”
Would The Dolphins Front Office Make The Switch
In the best case scenario for the Miami Dolphins, neither Zach Wilson nor Quinn Ewers would take the field this season. But should the moment arise, would head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier be able to justify starting a rookie seventh round pick over the six million dollar man?
“Dolphins fans want to see Ewers jump ahead of Wilson. This final preseason game could give McDaniel a reason to do so. It would be great to see Ewers win that job, but if we are being honest, it doesn’t seem like something McDaniel or Chris Grier would do,” Brian Miller proclaims.
“There is too much belief that Wilson’s experience is what Miami needs immediately behind Tagovailoa, but know this. If he goes down, Wilson isn’t likely to keep the job unless McDaniel changes his offense.”
Ewers has an opportunity tonight to take the decision out of their hands with a great performance.
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